Self-propelled reciprocating pumps with selective drive to wheels and pump



June 7, 1966 J. H. WILSON 3,254,735

SELF-PROPELLED RECIPROCATING PUMPS WITH SELECTIVE DRIVE TO WHEELS AND PUMP Filed Aug. 27, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOfi/V HAN w/z SO/V June 7, 1966 J. H. WILSON SELF-PROPELLED REGIPROCATING PUMPS WITH SELECTIVE DRIVE TO WHEELS AND PUMP 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27, 1963 H/S A 6f N T June 7, 1966 J. H. WILSON SELF-PROPELLED RECIPROCATING PUMPS WITH SELECTIVE DRIVE TO WHEELS AND PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 2'7, 1963 -l-4 JOHN #4127 M150 INV EN TOR.

United States Patent Office Patented June 7, 1966 3,254,735 SELF-PROPELLED RECIPROCATING PUMPS WITH SELECTIVE DRIVE TO WHEELS AND PUMP John Hart Wilson, Wilson Mfg. Co., P.O. Box 1031, Wichita Falls, Tex. Filed Aug. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 304,930 Claims. (Cl. 180-53) This invention relates to improvements in pumps for use with rotary drilling rigs and the like, and more particularly to a self-propelled pump wherein an engine of relatively high horsepower may be used to propel the vehicle over the road to the place where the pump is to be used, then, by a gear shifting arrangement, the engine driving the traction wheels may be shifted to disconnect the engine from the driving of the traction wheels and connected in selective driving relation with the gearing arrangement to drive the pump of the drilling rig to enable the withdrawal of drilling fluid, such as mud and the like, from a supply pit or tank and direct the mud outward from the discharge of the pump into a standpipe and hose arrangement to direct the drilling fluid through the-swivel and down through the drill pipe to furnish the necessary cooling fluid and lubricant for the drill bit and to supply mud to cake the wall of the well and to supply a vehicle with which to wash the earth cuttings to the top of the well, as is well understood in the art of rotary well drilling.

The present invention is so constructed that an engine, of several hundred horsepower, may be seated transversely of a supporting frame and connected through an endless transmission means to a shaft to enable the traction wheels to be driven selectively or, by the utilization of a clutch and gearing mechanism, the power transmission means may be disengaged from the traction wheels and engaged with the pump unit, selectively, to operate the mud pump weighing several tons in very much the same manner of a pump seated on a permanent type foundation.

An object of this invention is to provide an enginedriven, self-propelled pumping unit for rotary drilling rigs and the like which may be readily propelled from place to place, and the engine of which may be selectively disengaged from the traction wheel drive arrangement, and the power unit selectively engaged with a mechanism to operate a pump of great magnitude.

Another object of the invention is to provide the mounting of an engine, of great magnitude, in such manner as to be within the normal, legal road width limits and at the same time provide power both for the pump and for the vehicle while traveling over the terrain.

Still another object of the. invention is to provide a pump which utilizes a gearing arrangement which will enable the engine to drive directly through a countershaft arrangement to the pump and be selectively connected thereto and disconnected therefrom by a clutch arrangement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an engine-driven, self-propelled pumping unit which has a gearing arrangement which will enable the differential and traction wheels of a vehicle to be selectively engaged and disengaged to enable the movement over the terrain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selfpropelled vehicle with a power unit and a pump of great magnitude in weight, which is mounted on a vehicle frame which is of relatively light weight and which will support the load for traveling over the terrain.

A final object of the invention is to provide a vehicle mounted, self-propelled pumping unit which is simple in fest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the pumping unit mounted on the vehicle and showing the pump element connected in driving relation with a power unit such as an internal combustion engine, and showing the arrangement of the gearing unit on the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the self-propelled vehicle pumping unit and showing certain parts in dotted outline to show the relative connection between the various parts;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view through a countershaft and the upper portion of the gearing mechanism, showing the clutches for engaging the traction wheels with and disengaging the traction wheels from the prime mover, and showing an air actuated clutch for engaging the pump-ing unit with and disengaging the pumping unit from the prime mover with parts shown in elevation;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 3,

to support beams or springs 12 and 14, respectively, which mount the frame 6 for movement over the terrain, in a manner well understood in the art of vehicle construction. The traction wheels 2 have a differential 16 to provide the necessary gearing to drive the traction wheels. The vehicle is provided with an operator compartment or cab 18, in which a steering wheel 20 is mounted, which steering wheel is connected in operative relation with wheels 4 to'steer the vehicle over the terrain in a manner well understood in the art of vehicles.

A prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine 22 is mounted transversely of frame 6 and is secured thereto so as the furnish power for the unit, both for moving the unit over the terrain and for driving the pump, as will be more fully brought out hereinafter. A countershaft 24 is mounted transversely of frame 6 and has a sprocket 26 secured near one end thereof and in driving relation with a sprocket 28 mounted on the power output shaft 29 of prime mover 22. A chain 30 connects sprockets 26 and 28 in driving relation to drive the countershaft 24. The countershaft 24 extends through a gear unit 32 and has a clutch 34 mounted on the opposite end thereof, which clutch 34 has a sprocket 36 connected thereto which is selectively engageable with chain 38 by the engagement of clutch 34. The sprocket 36 has a chain 38 therearound, which chain extends to and is connected in driving relation with a sprocket 40 by the chain 38. The pump is of the reciprocating type and has a fluid inlet 42 and a fluid discharge pipe 44. The counter shaft 24 has an axial opening formed therein in which a rotary coupling R is fitted. A hose H connects with a source of air supply to direct air to and through rotary coupling R and thence through flexible tube T into clutch 34.

The construction and operation of the clutch 34 of FIGURE 3 (as well as of the clutch 82 of FIGURE 4) and of its associated rotary coupling R, hose H, and flexible tu-be T are similar to those disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,911,193, granted November 3, 1959. Thus, referring to FIGURE 3, the clutch actuating means comprises an inflatable bag (not shown in FIGURE 3 but corresponding to the bag 35 in FIGURE 4) into and from which pressurized air is supplied and withdrawn through the tube T. This bag and the associated clutch member 37 by which it is supported are fixed to the countershaft 24 for rotation therewith, While the clutch housing portion or member 34 is bolted at 39 to the sprocket 36. Both the sprocket 36 and housing portion 34 are journaled for rotation as a unit on and relative to the countershaft 24.

The driving clutch member 37 is actuated by fluid pressure supplied through the tube T to expand the inflatable bag above mentioned so as to interconnect the two clutch members or portions 37 and 34, together with the sprocket 36 for rotation together with the countershaft 24.

The clutch 34 is shown to be of the fluid actuated type, which type is well known in the art of clutches. The countershaft 24 is designed to rotate when the engine clutch or torque converter is in engaged relation, however, the shaft may be selectively stopped by disengagement of the clutch or torque converter within clutch housing 46 to enable a clutch shifter yoke 48 to be moved to enable clutch member 50 to slide into interlocking relation with a complementary clutch member 52, and with clutch 34 disengaged, the engine may then be used to drive through the sprocket 54 and chain 56 to drive sprocket 58 on shaft 60. The shaft 60 is journaled within a housing '62 and extends outward into housing 64, through which a shaft 66 passes transversely at a right angle to shaft 60. A bevel gear 68 is mounted on and secured to shaft 60 and is in meshed driving relation with a bevel gear 70 mounted on shaft 66 to selectively drive shaft 66 to drive clutch 72, which may be selectively engaged and disengaged to drive the gearing in transmission 74, which transmission has a power drive shaft 76 extending outward therefrom which connects through drive shaft 78 to a differential 16 to connect traction wheels 2 in driving relation with the prime mover 22.

It can be readily appreciated by the connection of the prime mover to the traction wheels, the heavy pump, Weighing many tons, can be moved over the terrain, which prime mover has sufficient horsepower to propel the unit over any terrain on which the traction wheels can obtain traction. Furthermore, when the unit is on location, jacks 80, which are hingeably connected to frame 6, may be swung into place as indicated in FIG. 2 and the vehicle leveled so excess weight will be taken off the wheels to prevent movement of the vehicle while the unit is being used as a pumping unit.

A clutch 82 is provided on shaft 66 and has a sprocket 84 mounted thereon and operably connected thereto, which will enable the clutch 82 to selectively engage the sprocket 84 in driving relation with a chain 86 to drive accessory mechanical devices such as air compressors, lighting generators, and the like (not shown) to provide air to actuate fiuid actuated clutches and electricity to power the various instruments and to furnish lighting for the unit.

The clutch 82 is constructed similarly to the clutch 34, and includes an expansible or inflatable bag 35 carried by the clutch member 37 the bag having compressed air supplied to and Withdrawn therefrom through the tube T and fitting R corresponding to the similarly-designated but unprimed elements in FIGURE 3. The clutch housing member 34 and its associated sprocket 84 are interconnected for rotation together and journaled on the shaft 66 in the same manner as in the clutch 34 of FIG- URE 3 so that, upon expansion of the bag 35, the several friction clutch plates generally designated 41 of the respective clutch members are engaged to cause sprocket 84 to rotate with the shaft 66.

The device as disclosed in the invention is capable of moving the pumping unit from one location to the other in a minimum of time and, when the pump is on the location, a minimum of time is required to set up the pump for actual pumping operation, thereby enabling greater saving in starting a drilling operation and enabling the unit to be disassembled for moving with a minimum of time and personnel.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A pumping unit for use with rotary drilling rigs and the like, comprising (a) a frame,

(1) ground engaging wheels mounted on said frame,

(b) a prime mover mounted on said frame transversely thereof,

(c) a countershaft mounted transversely of said frame and journaled thereon,

(d) endless transmission belt connecting said prime mover and said countershaft in driving relation,

(e) a housing surrounding a portion of said countershaft,

(f) a first clutch mounted on said countershaft within said housing,

(g) a sprocket mounted on said first clutch in journaled relation with respect to said countershaft,

(h) operator means in said housing to selectively actuate said first clutch to engage said sprocket in driving relation with saidcountershaft,

(i) a jack shaft journaled in the lower portion of said housing,

(j) a sprocket mounted on and secured to said jack shaft,

(k) a bevel gear mounted on said jack shaft and secured thereto,

(1) a drive shaft journaled in thelower portion of said housing and having the axis thereof lying in the same horizontal plane as the axis of said jack shaft,

(m) a second bevel gear mounted on said drive shaft and secured thereto and being in mesh relation with said first mentioned bevel gear,

(11) a wheeled drive unit including a differential,

(1) said drive shaft 'being connected in driving relation with the differential of said wheeled drive unit,

(0) a second clutch,

(1) said second clutch mounted on said countershaft exterior of said housing,

(p) a sprocket mounted on said second clutch in journaled relation with respect to said countershaft,

(q) remotely controlledmeans connected to said second clutch to selectively actuate said second clutch to connect said second clutch sprocket in driving relation with said countershaft and to disengage said last mentioned sprocket therefrom,

(r) a pump mounted on said frame longitudinally thereof (1) a drive shaft extending transversely through said pump and being parallel to said countershaft,

(i) a sprocket mounted on and secured to said drive shaft of said pump, and

(s) an endless transmission chain surrounding said sprocket on said second clutch and said sprocket on said pump drive shaft to connect said pump in driving relation with said prime mover.

2. A pumping unit for use with rotary drilling rigs and the like, as defined in claim 1 wherein (a) said second clutch is a fluid actuated clutch.

3. A pumping unit for use with rotary drilling rigs and the like, which pumping unit comprises:

(a) a wheeled frame,

(b) a prime mover mounted on said wheeled frame transversely thereof,

(c) transmission means connecting said prime mover in driving relation with certain of said wheels on said wheeled frame,

(1) said transmission means including a shaft mounted transversely of said Wheeled frame,

(2) said transmission means including a first clutch on said transverse shaft intermediate said prime mover and said certain wheels of said wheeled frame to selectively connect said prime mover in transmission relation with and to selectively disconnect said prime move-r from transmission relation with certain said Wheels of said wheeled frame,

(3) said transversely mounted shaft including a second clutch and a drive sprocket,

(d) a pumping unit mounted on said wheeled frame longitudinally thereof, and having a transverse input shaft,

(1) a drive sprocket on said pumping unit,

(2) said transmission means including an endless transmission chain which surrounds said drive sprocket of said second clutch on said transverse shaft and said sprocket on said pump ing unit in driving relation,

(i) said second clutch being selectively engageable to connect said pumping unit in driving relation with said prime mover and to selectively disconnect said pumping unit from said prime mover. I

4. A pumping unit for use with rotary drilling rigs and the like, which pumping unit comprises:

(a) a frame,

(1) ground engaging wheels mounted on said frame,

(b) a prime mover mounted on said frame transversely thereof,

(c) a countershaft mounted on said frame transversely thereof and being journaled thereon,

(d) endless belt transmission means connecting said prime mover and said countershaft in driving relation,

(e) a first clutch and a second clutch mounted on said countershaft,

(1) a sprocket associated with each said clutch, each sprocket being adapted to be selectively driven by the respective clutches upon engage- 6 ment of said respective clutches with said countershaft, (f) a transmission means for driving said ground engaging wheels, which transmission means includes a further sprocket and an endless chain, which chain surrounds said sprocket associated with said first clutch and said further sprocket to connect said further sprocket in driving relation therewith,

(1) said transmission means for driving said ground engaging wheels also including gears and a drive shaft, which drive shaft is connected through said gears in driving relation with said further sprocket, to connect said prime mover in driving relation with said ground engaging wheels,

(g a pumping unit mounted on said frame longitudinally thereof, and having a transverse input shaft,

( 1) a drive sprocket mounted on said pumping unit,

(2) an endless drive chain surrounding said sprocket associated with said second clutch and said sprocket mounted on said pumping unit to connect said prime mover in driving relation with said pumping unit,

(i) operator means by which said second clutch may be selectively operated. 5. A pumping unit for use with rotary drilling rigs and the like, as defined in claim 4, wherein (a) said second clutch is a fluid actuated clutch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 703,872 7/1902 Wells 108-53 X 1,886,032 11/1932 Lotte. 2,105,532 1/1938 Halousek. 2,251,013 7/1941 Donley et al. -53 X 2,594,666 4/1952 Long. 2,851,117 9/1958 Harris 180-53 2,949,162 8/1960 Davis 180-53 X FOREIGN PATENTS 875,365 8/ 1961 Great Britain.

A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner. 

3. A PUMPIMG UNIT FOR USE WITH ROTARY DRILLING RIGS AND THE LIKE, WHICH PUMPING UNIT COMPRISES: (A) A WHEELED FRAME, (B) A PRIME MOVER MOUNTED ON SAID WHEELED FRAME TRANSVERSELY THEREOF, (C) TRANSMISSION MEANS CONNECTING SAID PRIME MOVER IN DRIVING RELATION WITH CERTAIN OF SAID WHEELS ON SAID WHEELED FRAME, (1) SAID TRANSMISSION MEANS INCLUDING A SHAFT MOUNTED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID WHEELED FRAME, (2) SAID TRANSMISSION MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST CLUTCH ON SAID TRANSVERSE SHAFT INTERMEDIATESAID PRIME MOVER AND SAID CERTAIN WHEELS OF SAID WHEELED FRAME TO SELECTIVELY CONNECTED SAID PRIME MOVER IN TRANSMISSION RELATION WITH AND TO SELECTIVELY DISCONNECT SAID PRIME MOVER FROM TRANSMISSION RELATION WITH CERTAIN SAID WHEELS OF SAID WHEELED FRAME, (3) SAID TRANSVERSELY MOUNTED SHAFT INCLUDING A SECOND CLUTCH AND A DRIVE SPROCKET, (D) A PUMPING UNIT MOUNTED ON SAID WHEELED FRAME LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, AND HAVING A TRANSVERSE INPUT SHAFT, (1) A DRIVE SPROCKET ON SAID PUMPING UNIT, (2) SAID TRANSMISSION MEANS INCLUDING AN ENDLESS TRANSMISSION CHAIN WHICH SURROUNDS SAID DRIVE SPROCKET OF SAID SECOND CLUTCH ON SAID TRANSVERSE SHAFT AND SAID SPROCKET ON SAID PUMPING UNIT IN DRIVING RELATION, (I) SAID SECOND CLUTCH BEING SELECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE TO CONNECT SAID PUMPING UNIT IN DRIVING RELATION WITH SAID PRIME MOVER AND TO SELECTIVELY DISCONNECT SAID PUMPING UNIT FROM SAID PRIME MOVER. 